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Balancing Movements

Balance is dynamic, the whole body participates and the whole body must always participate to maintain balance

• A balanced state allows the skier to have a positive selective effect on any of the skills, with either leg, during any part of the turn
• Good skiing balance is an activity rather than a stance

What movements can you make to affect balance?
• Change the width of your stance
• Flex or extend your ankles, knees, hips and spine
• Use fore and aft movements to shift your center of mass
• Change the amount that you lean or tip into the hill
• Move your head and arms
• Increase and decrease muscle tension

The most important joint for balance is the ankle.  Poor boot fit could impede ankle flex by being too stiff or their could be too much forward lean.

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